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Buses that are silent, energy efficient, and don’t release exhaust — sounds good, doesn’t it? Just such a bus service is now in development in the Swedish city of Gothenburg — it’s currently set to launch in 2015. The new “ultramodern” bus service will be entirely electric and powered entirely by renewable energy sources.

Image Credit: Volvo/ElectriCity

The project — ElectriCity — is the result of a partnership between the Volvo Group, the Swedish Energy Agency, the City of Gothenburg, Västtrafik, Lindholmen Science Park, and Johanneberg Science Park. Volvo will provide the new electric buses, which will be accompanied by trial runs of new types of bus stops, improved traffic routing systems, and improved energy supply systems.

“Like something out of a vision of the future, but which is already a reality here and now, buses powered entirely by electricity from renewable sources will become a part of Gothenburg’s public-transport system. The buses will be extremely fuel-efficient, silent and completely emissions-free. Passengers onboard will have access to new technologies and at least one of the bus stops will be located indoors.”

“This represents an entirely new mode of travel and will allow for the public-transport system to contribute to a more pleasant urban environment. A silent and emissions-free public-transport system will enable the inclusion of locations in the city that are currently off limits. It is immensely satisfying to be able to launch this in our hometown, in cooperation with Region Västra Götaland and the City of Gothenburg,” states Olof Persson, President and CEO of Volvo.

Part of the drive behind this project is the recognition that, with its successful implementation, a great deal of new possibilities will be created with regards to city and urban planning in Gothenburg. And, also, by increasing the appeal of public transportation — and along with it, ridership numbers — the city will be able to simultaneously improve air quality, lower carbon emissions, and reduce traffic… while also improving the general livability of the city and citizen health.

“The electric bus service entails a new mode of public-transport system usage, which is highly positive for Gothenburg. It will highlight Gothenburg as a progressive city in terms of city planning. This is also in line with our prioritized objective of having Gothenburg reduce its climate impact to become a climate-neutral city, and of increasing sustainable travel,” says Anneli Hulthén (Social Democrat), Chairman of the Municipal Board.

The project will likely clear the way for similar programs throughout the rest of the Västra Götaland region of Sweden. And hopefully elsewhere in the world. The city that I live in could certainly do with some electric buses… would be a big improvement over breathing diesel exhaust.

About the Author

James Ayre 's background is predominantly in geopolitics and history, but he has an obsessive interest in pretty much everything. After an early life spent in the Imperial Free City of Dortmund, James followed the river Ruhr to Cofbuokheim, where he attended the University of Astnide. And where he also briefly considered entering the coal mining business. He currently writes for a living, on a broad variety of subjects, ranging from science, to politics, to military history, to renewable energy. You can follow his work on Google+.

Gasoline/Diesel fuel and engine, benzine molecule contamination major cause of human cancers? Electric has none of these? Concrete to replace asphalt that may be poisoning us? metal or solar roofs to rid us of that source of benzine molecules?

Ananya

Even you can use carbon fibre or even lighter materials to reduce weight, roof can be fitted PV cells, solar power producing glass, etc every little contribution might make a fleet of such buses be totally green.

Instead of relying on only one technology, even I like the Idea of compressed air technology. I like the company like Volvo which are forerunners in safety and energy innovations, but the problem being a technology made for one country / region takes too much time to be indigenised or affordable. As in case of buses, I like Karnataka state of India, which has highest modern buses (mostly volvo with some Mercedes), but even then Fuel Cell or Electricity, is way too far into the future.

I have concept in mind, place vertical axis wind turbines with solar PV panels, let the electricity be supplied to nearest village / hamlet / town throughout the roads with high traffic density. From where it can be used by residential users, electric vehicles, or charging devices wirelessly.

Bob_Wallace

Search the web and see if you can find any vertical axis wind turbines which have proved to produce electricity cheaply enough to compete with horizontal axis turbines. (Not the manufacturer claims, but independent testing).

Wind Energy

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